Gopinath Temple, Gopeshwar

Gopinath Temple is one of the most revered shrines in Gopeshwar. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is visited by a large number of devotees, especially during the Char Dham Yatra. Located in the heart of Chamoli, it is known for its beautiful ancient Indian architecture. As soon as you step inside, the spirituality can be felt all around the temple. Gopinath Mandir also serves as the winter seat of the fourth Kedar, Rudranath Temple. Built by the Katyuri dynasty in the 9th Century, the Gopinath Mandir proudly reflects its rich ancient heritage.

Gopinath Mandir in Gopeshwar

Gopinath Temple is located around 465 km from Delhi and is well-connected by road. UTC operates bus service on this route from Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun. Apart from this, union-run taxi services are also available. The sanctum of the Gopinath Mandir houses a Shivlinga, which is believed to be self-manifested. Besides Shivlinga, the temple also houses idols of Lord Ganesh, Hanuman, Goddess Durga, and other deities. Pilgrims can see the broken idols of various deities within the temple premises, which narrates its mythological tale.

Lord Shiva Trident

Gopinath Mandir in Gopeshwar is deeply associated with mythology, which is evident from the trident standing in the temple courtyard. It is one of the temple's major attractions and draws a large number of devotees.

Mythology of Gopinath Mandir

According to mythology, during Lord Shiva's intense penance, the demon Tarakasura created havoc across the three worlds. Seeking help, the defeated deities sought Lord Brahma's help. Brahma told them only Lord Shiva's son could slay Tarakasura, and for this, Shiva's penance needed to be broken.
 

The deities tried multiple attempts to disturb Lord Shiva's penance, but all in vain. After several failed attempts, Indra, the king of heaven, summoned Kamadeva, the god of love, to disrupt Shiva's penance. After great effort, Kamadeva succeeded and broke Shiva's meditation. Enraged by the disturbance, Lord Shiva threw his trident at Kamdeva.
 

However, Kamdev survived this attack, but later Shiva opened his third eye and turned him into Ashes. The trident standing in the temple courtyard is believed to be the same one that Shiva hurled at Kamdev. It is said to be made of an unidentified material. However, some believe that it's made of eight metals, which prevent it from weathering.

Rati Kund

A pond lies adjacent to the Gopinath Temple, known as Rati Kund. It is believed that Kamdev's wife, Rati, resides in this pond in the form of a fish. After Kamdev was killed, Rati pleaded with Lord Shiva to revive him. Eventually, Shiva agreed, but with the condition that he would return in a bodiless form. After his revival, Lord Shiva blessed Rati and declared that anyone who visits here and doesn't offer water from the kund, their pilgrimage will not be fulfilled. Since then, devotees visiting Gopinath Temple collect water from Rati Kund and use it for the ablution of the Shivling.

Accommodation near Gopinath Temple

Visitors looking for an overnight stay may find a few accommodation options nearby. The stays available here are Hotels, Homestays, Cottages, and Guest Houses. The price of these accommodations is generally reasonable, but they tend to rise during the Char Dham Yatra. Some stays offer online booking facilities, while others stick to the traditional offline booking method. Some stays you can consider during your visit are:

• Dev Darshan Hotel and Cottages
• Astha Guest House
• Hotel Annapurna
• Shivam Homestay
• Sudhama Cottage
• Jai Gurudev Guest House

Food Guide

Pilgrims visiting Gopinath Temple may find various small restaurants and dhabas, which mainly serve local food.

Important Tips for Visitors

• Avoid visiting during the monsoon season, as it imposes several challenges.
• Carry necessary woollen clothes, as the weather remains cold during summer.
• Buses generally leave from the station early; visiting before time is advisable.
• Expect a huge congestion during the Char Dham Yatra.
• Photography and videography are not allowed inside the sanctum.
• Do not shake the Trishul. 

Major Nearby Attractions

Pilgrims and travellers visiting Gopinath Mandir must not forget to explore other popular places in the region, such as:

• Kalpeshwar Temple
• Ansuya Mata Mandir
• Rudranath Temple